Isotopes

Question 1

What is an Isotope

Answer 1

An atom of the same element which has a different atomic mass (Neutron change)

Question 2

What does the number next to the element represent?
(Carbon-14)

Answer 2

The atomic mass

Question 3

Why do isotopes become radioactive

Answer 3

As atoms get bigger - they fall out of ‘the zone of stability’. This just means that the atoms fall out of the N:P (Neutron:proton) ratio.

Question 4

What is Alpha Decay

Answer 4

Alpha decay is where the current element loses a helium atom (Loses 4 from atomic mass) + (Loses 2 from proton). As a result, it turns into a new element

Question 5

What is Beta decay

Answer 5

Beta decay is where the atomic Mass stay the same but the atom loses 1 proton. This results in a new element with the same atomic mass.